Saria Tasnim MD, Dhara Dave MD, Yousuf Tawfeeq MD, Tarek Naguib MD, Waqas Rasheed MD
Neurosyphilis, although very uncommon, still does occur, especially in patients with HIV infection. The clinical presentation is variable and can include abnormal gait, numbness, poor concentration, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and meningitis; very rarely it can lead to ocular syphilis. We report a patient with HIV who presented with ocular syphilis leading to blindness. He was started on IV antibiotics, and his vision recovered almost to normal. Although the treatment is very straightforward, the timing of diagnosis and starting antibiotics early in the course are crucial to prevent serious consequences, such as permanent loss of vision.
Key words: Neurosyphilis, HIV, blindness
Article citation: Tasnim S, Dave D, Tawfeeq Y, Naguib T, Rasheed W. A case of ocular neurosyphilis in a patient with HIV. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2021;9(41):44–46
From: Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas
Submitted: 7/8/2021
Accepted: 10/2/2021
Reviewer: Kelly Mitchell MD
Conflicts of interest: none
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